Top cop’s comment encourages criminals – UPP says

The spokesperson for the United Progressive Party (UPP) Senator Damani Tabor has said that recent statements made by the police about the manhunt for suspected double-murderer Calvin “Burger” James, provide criminals with information on how to evade lawmen.
According to Tabor, the comment made by Acting Commissioner of Police Altee Rodney that Antigua’s landmass and topography are causing issues with James’ capture, undermines the public’s confidence.
“I don’t think that in any nation in the world that it is advisable for the police to publicly disclose that they feel they are not equal to the task, or specifically naming the factors that are challenging them because it is now for other criminals to say ‘if I hide in the mountains then it presents a problem,’” Tabor said.
Speaking on OBSERVER AM yesterday, Tabor was referring to Rodney’s statement about how James continues to evade police up to a week after he allegedly shot and killed his niece Tahisha Thomas and nephew’s fiancée  Sanchezca Charles and seriously injured his nephew Lawrence James who was also shot in the face.
Calvin “Burger” James allegedly broke into the victims’ Donovans home and opened fire on them after he could not find his sister whom he allegedly injured some time ago over an ongoing land dispute.
Yesterday, exactly one week after the double homicide a $25,000 bounty was issued for 53-year-old James who lawmen said is armed and dangerous.
Earlier, Rodney said Antigua’s mountainous characteristic and small landmass make it easier for the alleged gunman and killer to move about undetected. At the same time, there have been numerous reports of him being sighted in the very area of the crimes.
Tabor said it also brings into question whether the police are getting adequate support.
“You have not had this gentleman being found, you’ve had a failure to capture “Thug Life” with the hotel robbery, you have been unable to find Vincia James, you had great difficulty finding the escaped prisoner Delano Forbes …in light of these challenges what the government needs to do is sit down with the police and say how can we assist you to handle these missing persons[cases]?” Tabor added
Members of the public are warned not to make any attempt to approach James if or when seen, but instead contact the Rapid Response Unit at 764-2348 or 464-3938 or to call 911.
An appeal has also been made for him to surrender at any police station with his attorney or any family member immediately.